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However, scheduling a game against Pools so close to the new campaign suggests that won’t be the case this year.

Last summer saw Augsburg visit the Riverside for a friendly on July 29, a match Garry Monk’s team won 2-1 in front of 7,939 fans.

Whether Pulis decides to send a Boro XI to Hartlepool and play a stronger team against tougher opposition at some stage that weekend remains to be seen.

Tony Pulis (Image: PA)

There will be plenty of familiar faces in the Pools technical area and dug out with former Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates in charge of the home side and ex-Boro keeper Ross Turnbull on his coaching staff.

The Middlesbrough players are due to return from their summer breaks on the week beginning Monday, June 26.